Suggested Itineraries

Osaka

Spirited Osaka is the pulsating heart of Honshu’s Kansai region, home to many of Japan’s important industries. It’s a real working city, with open, smiley locals and little put on for tourists - and that’s really where its charm lies. It isn’t pretty like Kyoto, but rather a sprawling modern place, with a bustle to rival Tokyo’s and a hedonistic air come sundown, when the locals spill out of offices and schools to enjoy the nightlife for which the city is famous.

Osakans are seriously into food – in fact the city has a nationwide reputation for it, whether casual street-side snacks or sumptuous dinners in top restaurants. There’s certainly no shortage of fun in Osaka, and though there are several attractions – Osaka-jo castle, a jaw-dropping aquarium and several museums, to name a few – you’ll likely have an equally good time strolling around, shopping till you drop, taking a stab at some karaoke, and absorbing the evening vibe.

Osaka Information

Population: 2.7 million in the city

Access: Direct flights in to Kansai Airport. Osaka is well-connected to Kyoto and Tokyo by bullet-train.